Rate My Professor Melanie Beres

An internationally recognised scholar, Beres specialises in sexual violence prevention, with core interests in the meaning and communication of sexual consent, social norms shaping intimate relationships, constructions of sexuality including queer sexualities, and strategies for preventing sexual violence. She uses qualitative and quantitative methods in her work. Beres leads applied research on whole-campus models integrating policy, education, and support services to prevent sexual violence. She heads a Community of Practice with Dunedin high schools to co-design prevention strategies, advises Vine (Violence Information Aotearoa), and partners with the Ministry of Social Development and Accident Compensation Corporation on evidence-based national violence prevention approaches. Key publications include 'Seeking support: The voice of young men who have experienced sexual harm during their life course' with Patterson et al. (Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 2026), 'A comparative account of institutional approaches to addressing campus-based sexual violence in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand' with McCall et al. (Violence Against Women, 2024), and 'Male survivors of sexual violence and abuse (SVA): Barriers and facilitators to reporting and accessing services' with Dixon et al. (Ministry of Social Development, 2023). Her research bridges academia and practice, influencing policy and education on ethical relationships.